Sydney, Nov. 11 (ANI): Sports chiropractors Kevin Ivins and Michael Black have revealed the main reasons as to why an increasing number of Australian pacers were suffering from injuries.

They blamed the unacceptable attrition rate of Australia's pace bowlers on the fact the male spine does not mature until the early 20s, and also claimed that 'locked pelvises', among other biomechanic issues, were playing a role in their downfall.

Ivins was adamant the reason the likes of Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, James Pattinson and Brett Lee suffering stress fractures was due to the enormous workload and pressure they'd placed on their spines before they were strong enough to handle them.

"Everyone's skeletal maturity will vary but there is a common consensus of when this all occurs. There have been reports that vertebra end plates aren't fully fused until age 21, others have said it may occur between 17 and 18 for males," he said.

"In their formative years, these fast bowlers have been loading their spine, so, therefore, whilst the spine is going through its maturity, it has those excessive forces that have been placed upon it. They're also playing on poor fields and even concrete pitches. Some wear poor footwear and it adds more forces on a young spine and leads to biomechanics inefficiencies throughout the body," he added.

Meahwhile, Black says if fast bowlers unlock their pelvises, it will protect them from the problem that has written off so many in recent times.

"Get the pelvis right and treat the biomechanics problems in the feet, the leg length is a big issue," said Black, who also treats cricketers without their associations' knowledge.

According to the paper, Ivins has worked extensively with several sporting associations and stars including the Parramatta Eels, boxing champion Danny Green, several first-class cricketers including McGrath, the Waratahs, and Olympic swimmers.

Black, who has a stress fracture in his lower back, has worked for the Pakistan and Afghanistan cricket teams through his relationship with former Australian Test player Geoff Lawson, who coached both teams. Pakistan players Umar Gul and Mohammad Asif have travelled to Sydney with their board's doctors to be treated by him, the paper said. (ANI)